Electrical multicontact connector

ABSTRACT

An electrical multicontact connector of zipper style is characterized in that there are spatially attached a plurality of engaging members to each of parallel-disposed, flexible supporting sheets or strips, and all or some of the engaging members of one strip are coupled with the corresponding ones of the other strip so as to form a plurality of disengageable electric conducting units, each of which is insulated from the adjacent ones by suitable means.

United States Patent Inventor Satoshi Negishi Yokohama-shi, Japan Appl.No. 875,142 Filed Nov. 10, 1969 Patented Nov. 23, 1971 Assignee TokyoShibaura Electric Co., Ltd. Kawasaki-shi, Japan Priority Dec. 18, 1968Japan 43/ 109957 ELECTRICAL MULTICONTACT CONNECTOR 8 Claims, 10 DrawingFigs.

US. Cl 339/17 F, 24/705.11 R, 339/151 M Int. Cl HOSk 1/02 Field ofSearch 339/17, 36, 42, 150 M, 151 M; 24/205, 205.1, 205.12, 205.15,205.17

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1940 Arthur 24/207 2,229,861l/l941 McNabb 339/150 C X 2,690,603 10/1954 Welteroth 24/207 2,877,4393/1959 Avery..... 339/151 M 2,926,329 2/1960 Crane 339/151 M X 3,214,72510/1965 De Rose et al. 339/151 M 3,417,294 12/1968 Steidlitz 339/17 E X3,448,463 6/1969 Milone 1. 24/205 R X FOREIGN PATENTS 709,898 6/1954Great Britain 24/2051 235,841 4/1945 Switzerland 339/151 M PrimaryExaminer-Stephen J. Novosad Ass/slam ExaminerTerrell P. Lewis Altorney-Flynn & Frishauf ABSTRACT: An electrical multicontact connector ofzipper style is characterized in that there are spatially attached aplurality of engaging members to each of parallel-disposed, flexiblesupporting sheets or strips, and all or some of the engaging members ofone strip are coupled with the corresponding ones of the other strip soas to form a plurality of disengageable electric conducting units, eachof which is insulated from the adjacent ones by suitable means.

PATENTEDNUV 23 l9?! 3, 622.936

sum 2 OF 2 ELECTRICAL MULTICONTACT CONNECTOR The present inventionrelates to an electrical multicontact connector mainly used in theprinted circuit plate of an integrated electronic circuit device, and isintended to provide an improved multiconnector in which electricconducting units are formed from a plurality of engaging members likethose used in a fastener or zipper as popularly called.

Said multiconnector of zipper style is of handy, compact and simpleconstruction as compared with the prior art multiconnectors.

In an aspect of this invention, said multiconnector consists of one ormore assemblies, each of said assemblies comprising a pair ofparallel-disposed, flexible supporting sheets or strips of electricinsulating material, a plurality of engaging members spatially disposedalong the facing edge of each of said strips in such a manner that theengaging members along the facing edge of one of said strips arepositioned in corresponding relationship with those of the other stripwith each of the engaging members of one strip interposed between everytwo adjacent ones of the engaging members of the other strip, eachengaging member of both strips having a concave portion formed at oneside thereof and a convex portion fonned at the opposite side thereof soas to allow the convex portion of each engaging member of one strip tobe fitted into the concave portion of the corresponding one of the otherstrip, all or some of the engaging members of one strip being coupledwith the corresponding ones of the other strip so as to form a pluralityof disengageable electric conducting units, each of which is insulatedfrom the adjacent ones, and a device movable along the facing side edgesof both strips for causing the convex portions of the engaging membersto be successively engaged with or disengaged from the concave portionsthereof.

The features and advantages of the present invention will be understoodfrom the following description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. I is a planview of an electrical multicontact connector embodyingthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view in enlargement of part of the connector of FIG. I;

FIG, 3 is a plan view of part of an electrical multicontact connectormodified from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of part of an electrical multicontact connectorfurther modified from the embodiment of FIGS. I and 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an electrical multicontact connectormodified from the embodiment of FIG. 5 wherein said connector is partlyillustrated;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section of an electrical multicontactconnector having mutually superposed assemblies further embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross section of a connector modified from theembodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cross section of part of theconnector of FIGS. l and 2; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cross section of part of aconnector modified from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. I and 2 illustrate a unique electrical contact multiconnector ofthe present invention hereinafter referred to as a multiconnector. Saidmulticonnector consists of one or more assemblies, each of whichcomprises a pair of paralleldisposed, flexible supporting sheets orstrips 1 and 2 of electric insulating material such as soft syntheticresin, a plurality of engaging members which are separated into twogroups represented by corresponding characters 3a, 3b, 3c...and 4a, 4b,40..., and a device 5 movable along the facing side edges Ia and 2a ofsaid supporting strips I and 2 for causing the engaging members 3a, 3b,3c...of one group to be successively engaged with or disengaged from theengaging members 40, 4b, 4c...of the other group. Said device 5 isshaped like a zipper slider generally used, and is preferably made ofelectric insulating material such as rigid synthetic resin.

The engaging members of each of the groups are spatially disposed alongthe facing edge of each of said strips 1 and 2 in such a manner that theengaging members 30, 3b, 3c...are positioned in correspondingrelationship with those 40, 4b, 4c...with each of the former membersinterposed between every two adjacent ones of the latter members. Eachof said engaging members has a concave portion 6 integrally formed atone side thereof and a convex portion 7 formed at the opposite sidethereof so as to allow the convex portion of each engaging member of onegroup to be fitted into the concave portion of the corresponding one ofthe other group.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, alternate ones 10a, 10b and I0c...of theengaging members of one group are made of electrically conductivematerial and are coupled with the corresponding ones lla, I1b, l lc...ofthe other group which are also made of electrically conductive material,so as to form disengageable electric conducting units A, B, C,...,theremaining engaging members 12 of both groups are made of electricallyinsulating material and separate said electrically conducting unitsindividually for their mutual insulation.

FIG. 3 indicates a specific arrangement of engaging members, wherein theengaging members 200, 20b,...of each of groups are made of electricallyinsulating material and arranged with two other engaging members of thesame group interposed between said engaging members 20a, 20b, saidlatter members being referred to as 21a, 2lb,...and also made ofelectrically conductive material, Accordingly, disengageableelectrically conducting units A, B, C',...are mutually insulated by saidengaging members 200, 20b,...of both groups.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further specific arrangement of engaging memberswherein all the engaging members 300, 30b,...of one group which are madeof electrically conductive material are coupled with the'correspondingones 31a, 3lb,...of the other group which are also made of electricallyconductive material. In this case, the engaging members 300, 30b,...arerespectively provided with an electrically insulating member or layer 33preferably involving mainly a convex portion, integrally attached to theforward side thereof, so that electrically conducting units A", B",C",...formed by coupling two corresponding engaging members 30a and 31a(30b and 3lb,...) are mutually insulated.

FIG. 5 illustrates a covering plate 40 of electrically insulatingmaterial such as soft synthetic resin. Said covering plate 40 isattached to the movable device 5 for engagement and disengagement of theengaging members so as to cover that part of the arranged engagingmembers of both groups, which is brought to a conducted state when saiddevice 5 travels along the facing edges of the strips.

In FIG. 6, there is provided a covering plate 50 of electricallyinsulating material for covering the arranged engaging members of bothstrips mutually detachably engaged by said device 5. Said covering plate50 preferably has two parallel flat portions which are adapted to shieldthe facing edges of the strips on the upper and lower surfaces.

FIG. 7 illustrates a covering plate 60 of electrically insulatingmaterial integrally formed with each strip in a manner to be positionedunder the engaging membersthereof. Such a construction is useful for thecase where two or more assemblies of the multiconnector are used in asuperposed state.

In FIG. 8, there are shown the assemblies of the multiconnector, each ofwhich has a pair of flexible supporting strips, one 71 of the strips ofone assembly being stepwise superposed on the corresponding strip 72 ofthe adjacent assembly in a manner to insulate the engaging members 73 ofthe latter strip, and the other strip of the former assembly being alsosuperposed in the same manner as the first mentioned strip 71.

As shown in FIGS. I and 2, a lead member 8 for each of the electricallyconducting units is attached to the upper surface of each of the strips1 and 2. Said lead member 8 may be embedded in each of said strips asshown in FIG. 9, or interwoven, as shown in FIG. 10, into the cloth fromwhich is fabricated each of said strips.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical multicontact connector including at least one assemblycomprising:

a pair of flexible supporting sheets of insulating material havingfacing edges;

a plurality of engaging members disposed at predetermined intervalsalong the facing edges of said supporting sheets and each provided witha convex portion on one side thereof and a concave portion on the otherside thereof. selected engaging members being comprised of electricallyconductive material having an insulating layer formed thereon, anengaging member of one of said supporting sheets and at least oneengaging member of the other of said supporting sheets in mutualengagement forming a detachable electrically conducting unit having alayer of insulating material integrally formed on at least one outerside of said conducting unit;

lead members connected to said engaging members; and

a device movable longitudinally between the facing edges of both of saidsupporting sheets for causing the convex portions of the engagingmembers to be successively engaged with and disengaged from the concaveportion of corresponding engaging members.

2. The electrical multicontact connector according to claim 1 whereinthe engaging members on one of said supporting sheets compriseelectrically conductive material and an insulating layer on one sidethereof, and the engaging members on the other of said supporting sheetsare all comprised of electrically conductive material.

3. The electrical multicontact connector according to claim 1 whereinsaid lead members are embedded in each of said supporting sheets.

4. The electrical multicontact connector according to claim I whereinsaid supporting sheets are made of woven material and said lead membersare interwoven into each of said respective supporting sheets.

A 5. The electrical multicontact connector according to claim 1comprising a plurality of said assemblies, said assemblies beingsuperposed in a staggered fashion for the prevention of mutual contacttherebetween.

6. The electrical multicontact connector according to claim I wherein atleast one of said supporting sheets of the assembly extends to cover theengaging members of the other of said supporting sheets.

7. The electrical multicontact connector according to claim 1 comprisinga plurality of said engaging members having an integral insulating layerthereon, a plurality of conducting units being formed when said engagingmembers are in engagement, adjacent conducting units being insulatedfrom each other by at least one of said integral insulating layers.

8. An electrical multicontact connector including at least one assemblycomprising:

a pair of flexible supporting sheets formed of a woven insulatingmaterial and having facing edges;

a plurality of engaging members disposed at predetermined intervalsalong the facing edges of said supporting sheets and each provided witha convex portion on one side thereof and a concave portion on the otherside thereof, at least selected engaging members being comprised ofelectrically conductive material, an engaging member of one of saidsupporting sheets and at least one engaging member of the other of saidsupporting sheets in mutual engagement forming a detachable electricallyconducting unit;

means insulating adjacent conducting units from each other;

lead members interwoven in said woven supporting sheets and connected tosaid engaging members; and

a device movable longitudinally between the facing edges of both of saidsupporting sheets for causing the convex portions of the engagingmembers to be successively engaged with and disengaged from the concaveportion of corresponding engaging members.

1. An electrical multicontact connector including at least one assemblycomprising: a pair of flexible supporting sheets of insulating materialhaving facing edges; a plurality of engaging members disposed atpredetermined intervals along the facing edges of said supporting sheetsand each provided with a convex portion on one side thereof and aconcave portion on the other side thereof, selected engaging membersbeing comprised of electrically conductive material having an insulatinglayer formed thereon, an engaging member of one of said supportingsheets and at least one engaging member of the other of said supportingsheets in mutual engagement forming a detachable electrically conductingunit having a layer of insulating material integrally formed on at leastone outer side of said conducting unit; lead members connected to saidengaging members; and a device movable longitudinally between the facingedges of both of said supporting sheets for causing the convex portionsof the engaging members to be successively engaged with and disengagedfrom the concave portion of corresponding engaging members.
 2. Theelectrical multicontact connector according to claim 1 wherein theengaging members on one of said supporting sheets comprise electricallyconductive material and an insulating layer on one side thereof, and theengaging members on the other of said supporting sheets are allcomprised of electrically conductive material.
 3. The electricalmulticontact connector according to claim 1 wherein said lead membersare embedded in each of said supporting sheets.
 4. The electricalmulticontact connector according to claim 1 wherein said supportingsheets are made of woven material and said lead members are interwoveninto each of said respective supporting sheets.
 5. The electricalmulticontact connector according to claim 1 comprising a plurality ofsaid assemblies, said assemblies being superposed in a staggered fashionfor the prevention of mutual contact therebetween.
 6. The electricalmulticontact connector according to claim 1 wherein at least one of saidsupporting sheets of tHe assembly extends to cover the engaging membersof the other of said supporting sheets.
 7. The electrical multicontactconnector according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of said engagingmembers having an integral insulating layer thereon, a plurality ofconducting units being formed when said engaging members are inengagement, adjacent conducting units being insulated from each other byat least one of said integral insulating layers.
 8. An electricalmulticontact connector including at least one assembly comprising: apair of flexible supporting sheets formed of a woven insulating materialand having facing edges; a plurality of engaging members disposed atpredetermined intervals along the facing edges of said supporting sheetsand each provided with a convex portion on one side thereof and aconcave portion on the other side thereof, at least selected engagingmembers being comprised of electrically conductive material, an engagingmember of one of said supporting sheets and at least one engaging memberof the other of said supporting sheets in mutual engagement forming adetachable electrically conducting unit; means insulating adjacentconducting units from each other; lead members interwoven in said wovensupporting sheets and connected to said engaging members; and a devicemovable longitudinally between the facing edges of both of saidsupporting sheets for causing the convex portions of the engagingmembers to be successively engaged with and disengaged from the concaveportion of corresponding engaging members.